Cop responding to abuse call watched Disney movie to calm 2-year-old baby — ends up adopting her
'He saw a little girl who needed a dad who would protect her, and gave her exactly what she needed...'
Trigger warning: This article contains themes of child abuse that some readers may find distressing
Brian Zach, an Arizona cop, couldn't have imagined the way his life changed when he first responded to a welfare check. He was working a night shift as a patrol sergeant when he received a call regarding a 2-year-old girl, Kaila, a victim of abuse. After the investigation, when Kaila's mother and her boyfriend were taken into custody, the child protective services had to find a temporary home for her, and that's when Zach stepped in without hesitation. However, as time passed by, the officer care more and more for the little girl, and he officially adopted her, making her a part of his family.
When Zach first met Kaila, he noticed that she was badly injured and knew something was wrong. The cop knew he couldn't leave the case uninvestigated, but before he could proceed further, he wanted to ensure that Kaila was properly taken care of. "I took care of her, took her back to the station... We watched 'Wreck-It Ralph,' and we just bonded," Zach told ABC 7. Despite multiple bruises on her face and swollen eyes, the officer recalled Kaila as this "happy-go-lucky" toddler. While Zach and the little girl remained at the police station, waiting for Child Services, the cop said Kaila held his hand and kept petting it as if he were the one who needed to be consoled. Zach finished his shift and went home, but he just couldn't get Kaila out of his head. The officer, who was already a father of two, told his wife about the girl he met on duty and shared his desire to bring her home. Zach's wife agreed, and they finally welcomed Kaila into their house.
What began as a temporary home for Kaila turned into her forever home when Zach adopted her in 2020. "She means everything, absolutely everything, to me," the officer told Inside Edition. Kaila was lucky to have found Zach and his family, especially after a traumatic life, but unlike her, UNICEF reports that nearly 400 million kids (under 5 years of age) frequently suffer physical punishment and/or psychological violence by their parents and caregivers. Now, this not only affects them physically but also negatively affects their mental health beyond repair. "When children are subjected to physical or verbal abuse at home, or when they are deprived of social and emotional care from their loved ones, it can undermine their sense of self-worth and development," said Catherine Russell, the UNICEF Executive Director.
The heartfelt story of Brian Zach and Kaila received an overwhelming response, with people appreciating the police officer for accepting the little girl and giving her the life she deserved. For instance, @krystalturner6129 commented, "Not only did she find a dad, but I'm sure she also has a department full of aunts and uncles who love her too." @zackrice9395 revealed, "Stories like this make me appreciate when my daughter laughs and smiles and tells strangers, 'That's my daddy,' a lot more than I already do."
Echoing the sentiments, @lionheart8586 commented, "When she said, 'I love him,' and the way she said it, omg; you can hear the genuine love and acceptance of that little girl, of him (her new dad). It brings tears to my eyes!" Praising the officer, @morticiaaddams7227 said, "That’s a real cop right there. He saw a little girl who needed a dad who would protect her, and he gave her exactly what she needed, and she will grow up with such a happier life now." @lydwinaofschiedam2685 wrote, "I wish people would recognize that most cops go into their line of work to help people. The few rotten apples ruin it for everyone, but the vast majority of cops are good people. I truly and deeply appreciate their service. They sure aren’t doing it for the money."
If you know of any children who are being subjected to abuse, please contact The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at (800) 422-4453
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